Wind power in Scotland providing more than enough energy

NEW FIGURES on wind energy have shown that wind turbines supplied enough energy to power 3,5m households last month alone.

Analysts from WWF Scotland have pointed an increased of over a quarter compared to January last year.

Wind turbines alone provided an estimated 1,307,629MWh of electricity to the National Grid, enough to supply, on average, the electrical needs of 146% of Scottish households- or 3.5 million homes.

A turbine at Whitelee Wind Farm near Glasgow

This positive figures mean an increase of 27% compared to January 2014, when wind energy provided 1,033,130MWh.

The daily figures varied throughout the month however wind generated enough output to supply 100% or more of Scottish homes on 24 out of the 31 days of January, including two days where output was equivalent to more than 200%.

Solar power also contributed towards the highly successful month with solar PV panels generating an estimated 37% of the electricity needs of an average home in Aberdeen, 30% in Glasgow, and 24% in Edinburgh.

Homes fitted with solar hot water panels, there was enough sunshine in Aberdeen to generate an estimated 45% of an average households hot water needs and 29% in Edinburgh.

WWF Scotland’s director Lang Banks reflected on the success of green energy this year. He said: “While January’s wintry weather caused havoc for many people, it also proved to be a good month for wind power output in Scotland, with enough pollution-free electricity generated to supply the needs of 146% of Scottish households.

“Even better, wind output was up by a quarter compared to the same period last year. Even on calmer days, when wind wasn’t at its strongest, wind still generated enough to support the electricity needs of more than a quarter of our households.

“While January’s wind output may have got 2015 off to a flyer, it’s important to remember that household electricity demand only makes up two-fifths of Scotland’s total needs.

“So, if we are to meet Scotland’s aspiration to generate all of our electricity needs from renewables we still need to see more renewables deployed alongside a step change in energy efficiency.

“Our recently published study on delivering a decarbonised electricity system shows that a renewable efficient power system for Scotland is perfectly achievable by 2030.

“However, for this to happen we need to see a commitment to a 2030 UK-wide electricity decarbonisation target, long-term certainty for the renewables sector, and much greater efforts to reduce electricity demand.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what each of the political parties will set out in their election manifestos that will help deliver a low-carbon Scotland.”